
Glass J£.SJ2l£15 
Book -JLl&JtMj} 



Copyright N° 






COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT; 



HUMBLE ASPIRATIONS 

by 
Thorn. Heathman 




PUBLISHED BY 

BYRON S. ADAMS 

Washington, D. C, 

1907 






JUBRARY of GONSriESiT 
Two Copies Ktceivso 

/ DEC 21 1907 

h%% A XXc. N&, 



SOLA 



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PY B, 

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Copyright, 1907, by Thorn. Heathman 



DEDICATED 

WITH MUCH AFFECTION 

TO 

MY MOTHER 



SnttoDuctotp, 



Armstrong Manual Training School, 

P St., Between 1st and 3d Sts., N. W. 

W. B. Evans, Principal 

Mr. Thomas Heath man, 

Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Heath man : As I wish your lit- 
tle book of poems God-speed, I am reminded 
of the rare literary taste and efficiency which 
you exhibited as a lad and of which this little 
collection is a flowering out. Your monetary 
profit may not be great — seldom is it or has it 
been for any who have gone before you — but 
you will have the satisfaction of knowing that 
you have filled your life and the lives of those 
whom your life has touched with a deeper and 
more lasting sweetness than would have been 
possible had the songs which follow in these 
pages remained unsung. 

Sincerely and gratefully yours, 

W. B. Evans, 
Qctober 15, 1907. 



$&V Prapef ♦ 

Thou who dwells beyond the sky, 
Send Thy light into my soul ; 
On Thy love do I rely — 
Make my broken spirit whole. 

Let me be the thing I would, 
Let me tread the paths untrod, 
Let me do some earthly good, 
Let me worship Thee, O God. 

In Thy gospel I have read, 
" 'Tis not in this life to grieve" ; 
There too Thou hast sweetly said, 
"Ask it and thou shalt receive." 

Light the taper of my life, 
Let it slowly burn away. 
Lift me out of toil and strife 
Nearer unto Thee I pray. 

Fill me with morality 

That my work be naught for wrong, 

That with sweet humility 

I may sing my simple song. 

And the world that hears it read 
May with meaning sentence say, 
"Though the song be poorly said, 
Time has not been thrown away." 



When thy heart is filled with longing 
For some loved one far away ; 
When the gloom within thy bosom 
Deepens with the closing day, 
When the smile flits from thy features 
Leaving them so darkly clad, 
Thou woulds't say in silent whispers, 
"I am sad." 

What is sadness? Can'st thou answer? 
Ah, I fear thou dost not know — 
Thine has been a life of freedom, 
Thine a heart bereft of woe. 
Sorrow cometh not in snatches 
Banished with a slight request, 
Once admitted, long 'twill linger 
In thy breast. 



Let us sail together 

O'er the dark blue sea, — 

Baby won't be frightened 

Mother is with thee. 

She will hold you tightly 

O'er the briny main; 

We will glide to Dreamland 

Then glide back again. 

Shut your eyes, my darling — 
Tight as tight can be 
Into sweetest slumber ; 
Mother is with thee 
Sandman will not harm thee 
He has passed, you know. 
O'er the sea together 
You and I will go. 

Softly drop the curtains 
Over baby's eyes; 
Softly smile the starlings 
In the evening skies ; — 
Baby soon will waken, 
Smiling still with glee 
We have glided home again, 
Baby dear and me. 



Cfie aiptoarD patft* 

Thou path that leads toward the sky, 
I linger on thee, tell me pray, 
Should I ascend thy slope so high — 
Would I e'er reach the "Land of Day" ? 
Sing on sweet bird and charm my ear 
With warblings from the Land above, 
That when the Gates of God draw near, 
My heart shall leap with Godly Love. 

I'm growing weary, day by day ; 
I must prepare to climb thy height; 
And liv'ried in my blest array 
Must leave this land of sin and night. 
At that sad time, oh, "Path of Fate." 
Oh, when I leave this dreary shore, 
This land of sin and pride and hate 
I'll linger on thee nevermore. 
But stand to hear my Lord's decree ; 
'Twill be a smile, or else a frown. 
Shall mine be joy or misery? — 
Shall I ascend or grovel down? 



8 



Amotion* 

Do let me sit still longer, 
The world has lost it's mirth ; 
I have left this realm of sadness, 
I am no more of earth. 
Oh, how I dread the moment 
When I shall wake again 
And find that I still linger 
In this vale of grief and pain. 

My heart is wrapped in the mystery 
Of music, soft and sweet ; 
My soul is lost in a valley 
Which makes it's joy complete. 
Can this be earthly feeling ? 
Can this be worldly mirth ? 
Ah, no, it lifts my sorrows, 
It can not be of earth ! 

When God gave man his talents 
And they have so been sown 
To raise my thoughts to Heaven 
Where those I love have flown, 
My heart ekes out it's sorrow, 
My cares, my griefs all flee, 
And I feel that this Heavenly music 
Is only played for me. 

But alas ! must I be selfish ? 

Ah no, that can not be! 

My very soul is spreading, 

I'm wrapped in ecstacy ! 

I wake with an anxious tremble 

From this angelic dream, 

And I touch my enamored companion 

That we both may enjoy the theme. 

9 



DaDt>p'0 Darlm\ 

Cheeks ez red ez roses, 
Dimples jist ez deep; 
Yo' sho' is a pictur' 
When you is asleep. 
Oh, you cunnin , rascal 
Come right hyeah to me — 
You is jist ez pretty 
Ez a chile kin be. 

Eyes ez bright ez di'monds, 
Haih jest all a curl; 
Come to pappy darlin' 
Aint you pappy's girl? 
All yo J li'l crowin's 
Jest sets pappy wile ; 
Pappy'd jest go crazy 
'Dout dis lubly chile. 

Hug yo' daddy, puddin' 

Tight ez you kin hug. 

Gin yo' daddy one sweet kiss, 

You's ma kissin' bug. 

How much does you lub me — 

Bushel an' a peck? 

Wrap yo' li'l chubby arms 

Round yo' daddy's neck. 



10 



Stan' all loney. honey, 
Le' me see you walk ; 
Oh, my goodness g'acious 
How dis chile kin talk ! 
Less us go fin' mammy; 
Wonder whar she's at — 
Dinah, hyeah me callin' you ? 
Come an' git yo' brat. 

Lor's Fse most nigh late for wo'k, 
How de time do fly. 
Shake a day-day puddin' ; 
Good-bye, hon, bye, bye! 



II 



e@emorie0* 

Slowly the day is waning 
And slowly darkness falls ; 
From o'er the meadow and anon 
The drowsy cricket calls. 
Far out upon the landscape 
With greedy gaze I stare ; 
It seems I see remembrances 
Serenely written there. 

'Twas there my days of childhood 
So happily were spent ; 
'Twas there I frolicked daily, 
In childhood's joys content; 
'Twas there my dear, old daddy 
Oft laid the furrows wide ; 
'Twas there I oft did follow him 
In simple, childish pride. 

'Twas there by dear, old mammy 
Our daddy's lunch would bring ; 
'Twas there I heard my sister's voice 
In happy accents ring 
Across the field of cabbage 
And o'er the meadow corn, 
As sweetly, clearly she would sing, 
"On That Celestial Morn." 



12 



And there my baby brother, 
The sweetest 'mong us all, 
Would laugh and crow and prattle, 
And pitch the sand and crawl. 
Ah, sweetest of all memories, 
The days that now are flown ! 
Ah, could I call them back again 
And hold them for my own ! 

Yet I am happy ever 

While memory has power 

To seize the fields still fresh and green 

And hold them for an hour; 

To bring my childish fancies back, 

To drive away dark sorrow, 

That I may sleep away my cares 

And wake refreshed tomorrow. 



Contentment 

There is a soothing something, 
I know not what it be, 
That dwells within my bosom 
And whispers tenderly 
Of better days approaching. 
What is it — can you guess ? 
It can not be a harbinger 
Announcing happiness. 



*3 



Life. 

A dream of the laurels we hope to win 
A disappointment, a sigh, and then 
A smile and a dream of laurels again; 
These are the seeds of Life. 

A pause in the midst of the darkest night, 
A vain endeavor, — a spark of light, 
A sad repulsion — a sorry plight, 
These are the flowers of Life. 

A struggle for riches, a fight for gain, 
A struggle, a fight — and both in vain, 
A failure as black as the "Curse of Cain" ; 
These are the fruits of Life. 

A saddened heart, a thought of God, 
A prayer, a beck, a smile, a nod, 
A short farewell to the paths we trod ; 
These make the harvest of Life. 



14 



Cfce dinger anD tfte ©ottg* 

I heard him sing" a song of peace, 

A song, serenely sweet ; 

He knew naught of the thrill he sent 

Into my heart, so widely rent 

In twain, with sadness sorely pent 

Between it's tender cords. 

I heard him sing a song of war, 

That stirred my very soul; 

He sang of heroes, strong and brave, 

Who fought, their country's cause to save; 

And left to us the honored grave 

That we who live must love. 

I heard him sing a song of love, 
And, ah, 'twas sad indeed ; 
It ran, "My dearest, when I'm dead, 
Place on the tombstone o'er my head 
In letters that are plainly read, 
'One mortal, gone to seed.' " 

I never heard him sing again. 
Alas ! and yet I long 
That ere my life shall ebb away, 
That ere I meet my final day, 
From out his bosom, I may hear him say 
Another song. 



15 



Mistaken Confluence* 

Well, I'm in a fix sho', 

I dunno what ter do ; 

I tor de deacon sho'ly 

Dat I'se gwine to ma'y Sue. 

Now I 'spect he think it funny, 

As any one would 'spose 

Fer rnie to tell him sich a thing 

Afore I had p'oposed. 

But I tho't sho' dat gal would 'cept me 

When I axed her fo' her h'art, 

But she cut me up so quickly 

Dat I made a sudden dart 

An' went right th'ough de winder, 

An' tuk de sash an' all ; 

An' I was so weak when I got home 

Dat I sprawled right out in de hall. 

I'll tell yo' jist what happened, 
Da was a awful time; 
I begun dat conversation 
Jist as de clock struck nine. 
Sez I, "Sue, I lub yo' dearly 
And I wants yo' fo' ma wife ; 
An' I'll always make yo' cheerly, 
An' I'll lub yo' all ma life. 

"I'se been visitin' you 'bout six years 
An' I thinks I plainly see 
Dat ef any body's fer yo' 
It sho'ly must be me. 

16 



Now I begs yo' Sue, to answer ; 
Fo' Law's sake don't say 'No' — 
Ca'se ef yo' dare 'efuse me 
I dunno whar I'll go. 

'Tse brung yo' heap o' possums 
From Deacon Jones's farm 
And I stole 'em too, you know it, 
Ob course it war no harm. 
You mudder tol' me yistidy 
Dat ef I lub yo' dear 
She wouldn't mind us ma'ying 
And she'd gib us de big arm chair. 

"But yo' fadder, he's ve'y funny 

And he thinks so much ob you 

Dat he axed, 'Is dat de burly chap, 

What wants to ma'y Sue ? 

I wouldn't gib him dat dere gal 

No more'n I would a mouse, 

An' I'm great a min' to mall his head 

Fo' comin' to dis house.' " 

Den Sue spoke up and sez she, "Sam, 

I tell yo' right hyeah now, 

Ef pappy say I can't do it, 

I can't do it, so dah." 

Den I felt like a ring-tail goat 

What's jist butt down a fence ; 

And I reached around, 

And grabbed ma hat 

And I haint been back dar sence. 



7 



Normal School No. 2 — 1903. 

Tis hard to think that we must part, 

Oh, classmates, ever dear; 

We are the patient sowers 

Who've toiled sincerely here. 

But now's the time for harvest, 

Let's pluck the ripened grain; 

And then go forth, beloved ones, 

To sow and reap again. 

And then go forth, beloved ones, 

To sow and reap again. 

Tis with a throb we say, "Farewell," 
A throb of heartfelt pain — 
Our very souls are weeping 
Beneath the awful strain! 
Oh, may we carry with us 
Remembrances e'er sweet; 
Some thoughts that live forever 
And make our joy complete. 
Some thoughts that live forever 
And make our joy complete. 

Our hearts abound with sadness now, 
Oh, Alma Mater true — 
The ties at last must sever 
That bind us close to you. 
Now sadly we must utter 
A long, a strange "Adieu" — 
Farewell, sweet Alma Mater, 
Farewell, farewell to you. 
Farewell, sweet Alma Mater, 
Farewell, farewell to you. 

18 



1 manntt. 

When mother sings to baby 
As once she sang to me, 
I wonder if he's happy 
As then I used to be. 
I wonder if the angels come 
To hover o'er his head 
And build a little Paradise 
Around his tiny bed. 

I wonder why my Mother 

Is filled with so much joy 

As in his little trundle bed 

She lays her baby boy. 

I wonder if that baby, 

So sweet, so cute, so grand, 

Will fill my Mother's heart with pride 

When he becomes a man. 

I wonder if his life-road 

Be rough or smooth to tread. 

I wonder if he'll be revered 

Long after he is dead. 

I wonder when the graces 

Shall read his life decree 

If he shall choose within himself 

"To be or not to be." 

I've wondered many strange things 
About our little pet; 
There is another wonder, 
The greatest wonder yet. 
When Mother sings to baby 
As of yore she used to do, 
I wonder if that baby 
Has not been wond'ring too. 
19 



Virtue $et0U0 Met. 

"Avaunt thee, Spirit of Disgrace !" 

A hollow echo shouted — 

"A vaunt ?" the spirit echoed back, 

" Tis thee that should be routed. 

In my dominion I hold sway, 

Tis now thy time to waver ; 

Dost thou not know my mission, Sir, 

And see'st thou not my saber?" 

"Tis with this blade my realm is won, 
This arm was made to conquer. 
Where e'er my deadly blade indents, 
The rank incise grows ranker 
Until it eats an inward path 
And round the heart doth center ; 
Then builds it up a battlement 
That Virtue may not enter." 

The second spirit bowed in thought 
It's head of hoary beauty, 
And trembled as it whispered low, 
"Mine is a meagre duty ; 
Outside your battlement I stand — 
My saddened heart demented — 
I sprinkle hyssop, myrrh, abscinthe, 
Until the air is scented. 



2Q 



"Then straightway from your conquered realm 

Ere long your servants wander. 

They smell the fragrant, scented air 

And straightway pause and ponder. 

Their brains no tokens will submit, 

Their eyes grow wild, dilated: 

There is not left a meaning thought, 

Their courage is abated. 

"Fear has usurped their troubled souls, 
Dim grows the flame of power — 
'Who is this fearful foe/ they ask, 
That would our hearts devour ?' 
'Come friends, in peace we enter here, 
No evil thought we nurture.' 
And lo ! they gaze with bated breath, 
The conquerer is Virtue!' 



Cfte Secret* 

Why dost thou blush, sweet maiden, 
Why dost thou droop thine eyes? 
I fear I know thy secret, 
It only by surmise. 
Look up, thou must not waver, 
Thou'rt blessed from Heaven above; 
Thy modesty betrays thee — 
Thou'rt in love. 



21 



Rough and thorny is the way 
That we all must travel; 
Push ahead with firm intent, 
Kick aside the gravel. 
Never waver on the road 
If one time you stumble ; 
Hold your banner firmly forth 
Exalted and yet humble. 

Pricked may be your flesh and sore, 
Sad your heart and troubled ; 
Steeper may the incline seem, 
Hardships may be doubled ; 
But if calmly striving on 
Bearing toil and sorrow, 
When to-day has passed away 
Light will shine to-morrow. 

Though the bruises on your foot 
May deface and numb it, 
Onward, forward, upward strive 
Till you reach the summit; 
Then with firm and steady grip, 
Though the sight be grewsome, 
Seize the trophy you have won, 
Press it to your bosom. 



22 



Cia0S poem. 

Normal School, '03. 

If my heart were strangely gifted, 

I would sing my song alone 

And thou would'st not find me ling'ring, 

Bending low before thy throne. 

Thou, oh, Muse of Song Hued Verses, 
Thou canst aid me with thy power ; 
Lead me to the running waters, 
Let me linger for an hour 
Where the waves of genius ripple, 
Where the lyric poets dwell 
Where my heart may be inspired 
That my story be told well. 

And the muse with voice so tender 
Said, "Pour out thy tale to me; 
Whether thv fate be sad or joyful 
I shall tell it all to thee." 
And I straight began my story 
Of two years of joy and strife; 
How we entered on our mission, 
Hearts aglow, with hopes all rife. 

Then I numbered all our trials, 
All our griefs, our joys and more, 
How we taught the little children 
As they ne'er were taught before. 

23 



And the muse from out her bosom 
Drew a vial of bloody red; 
Held it high above her stature 
Shook it well and softly said, 
"As a type then, as an image 
Be to us this fiery juice, 
Of the wonders that frail mortals 
Can with steadfast will produce. 

"Let us from the brimming goblet 
Drain the troubled flood with mirth ; 
Art is but a gift from heaven 
Borrowed from the glow of earth. 

"Even strength's dominions boundless, 
'Neath her rule obedient lie, 
From the old, the new she fashions 
With creative energy ; 
And rejoiceth all the senses, 
And in every sorrowing breast 
Poureth hope's refreshing balsam 
And on Life bestows new zest. 

"My advice to thee, oh pilgrim, 

On the threshold of Life's road, 

In the sphere to which thou'rt suited 

Thou shouldst take thy long abode , 

And success will sure o'ertake thee." 

But no sooner had she spoke 

Then I yawned and stretched and shivered 

"Woe is me" ! and then I awoke. 



24 



But today we come to bid you 
From our hearts a sad farewell. 
Tell me, when we are departed 
And our friends the story tell 
Of the anxious hours enfathomed 
When unravelling our decree 
Wilt thou send a kindly impulse 
Toward the "Class of 1903" ? 

May we leave a glowing record, 
One that hearts would throb to tell, 
One that calleth forth this sentence, 
'They have done their duty well." 

Farewell, all ye walks of schooldays, 
Farewell all ye tutors true, 
To our anxious classmates, farewell ! 
And dear friends, farewell to you. 

We must enter on a mission 
That shall bring us joy or shame; 
May we climb the slimy ladder 
Leading us to truth and fame. 

May we all meet there together, 
See each other face to face, 
Win our crown and in our duty 
Raise aloof our noble race. 



25 



Contemplation* 

The fleecy snow lay on the ground 
As pure as pure can be ; 
Reflections of the clean and chaste 
It brings again to me. 
I look upon it dimly, 
Admire it's mingled flakes, 
And as I gaze it's expanse, 
A thought of sin awakes. 

I mark it as a pure soul, 

So fleecy, so serene; 

Now, as a sin creeps forward 

A darkened spot is seen. 

It spreads, it grows still larger, 

It slowly eats it's way 

Till finally it conquers — 

And now it holds full sway. 

How many dark spots hover 
Around your soul today? 
How many prayers are uttered 
To drive those spots away? 
Implore God's blessings ever 
And from* prayer never cease, 
Until you feel within yourself 
A true and wholesome peace. 



26 



Dey is had a splutteration 

In our choir 'dout a doubt, 

Cause dey say Miss Randy Johnsing 

Sho' is got to git right out. 

Do' she sing de best soprany 

'Dout a trimble or a squeak, 

Dey's done hearn sich tales about huh 

Dat day jist is 'blige to speak. 

Brudder Stone de choir leadah, 
Could'nt 'cide jist wat to say 
When he called de folks togedder 
At de chu'ch de other day ; 
So he argu'd Parson Gravham 
Was de one to say de word 
Dat would tell Miss Randy Johnsing 
'Bout de rumahs we has heard. 

Parson Grayham was so nervis, 
Didn't know jist how to start; 
So he flung a high ferlutin' 
Sentence out about de h'art. 
Said it war no use o' struttin' 
Wid a captivatin' grin 
Ef yo' character war dirty 
An' yo soul war black wid sin. 



27 



Den he lowed, "It hu'ts me bredren, 
Fo' to say dese words to you ; 
But de Bible say, 'Don't falter 
When yo' lips am speaking true/ 
I'se done brung yo' all togedder 
Fo' to tell a sorry tale, 
'Tis about de sad misdoin's 
Ob a lone and lost she-male. 

"Course huh singin' are monstracious 
An' huh actions dey is gran' 
'Cept she hab one fascinashun 
Dat I sho' can't understan'. 
Fo' de Lawd she's pow'ful han'som'e, 
But I can't see fo' my life 
Why Miss Randv keep a cou'tin' 
Wid a mian what's got a wife. 

"Dey is heaps ob single ge-man, 
An' we sho' can't hab de name 
Ob our leadin' choir songster 
Heapin' up our chu'ch wid shame. 
Why I knows some single brudders 
Dat would use dey lass'est bref 
Fo' to cou't huh ; deed I eben 
Lak Mirandy fo' myse'f. 

"Now I isn't trying folkses 
Fo' to lead yo' people wrong 
But de Bible say a preacher 
Need a mate to he'p him 'long. 
So I'se measured up de sistahs 
An' ob all dat I kin see, 
I would choose Mirandy Johnsing 
Ez de one what ketches me. 

28 



"Ez I set dar in de pulpit 
Eb'ry blessed Sabbath day, 
An' de folks is all a shoutin' 
An' de organ 'mence to play, 
An' dat captivatin' Randy 
Spread huh mouf an' sta't to sing, 
I kin heah de tunes a floatin' 
Way up ober eb-rything. 

"Den my hea't jist swell wid longin' 

But I members whar I'se at ; 

You can't blame no earfly man for 

Lovin' sich a gal ez dat. 

Lawd, I most forgot my duty; 

Bredren, we will hab to pray 

Dat de Lawd will change Miss Randy's mind 

Afore next meetin' day. 

"Cause she'd make a fust class sistah 
An' a charmin' preacher's wife; 
An' I speck dat I could lub huh 
Fo' myse'f an' all my life. 
Course dat's a mighty public speakin' ; 
I could jist, oh, well, my fren's, 
I could most nigh eat dat 'oman 
Praise de blessed Lawd, Amen." 



Penance* 

Slowly toward the chapel 

Two mortal beings trod; 

The one an earthly sinner, 

The one a child of God. 

And as they crossed the threshold 

The sinner paused awhile ; 

"I dare not tread this hallowed ground 

And live," he said and smiled. 

"Life is an empty bubble 
With colors varied wide, 
An object that will freely float 
With every changeful tide ; 
But taken under ruling, 
'Twill bend and yield with ease. 
It is for man to choose his path 
Between the two of these." 

Thus spoke the Christian soldier 
And silence reigned supreme. 
"Those very words," the sinner cried, 
"I heard once in a dream ; 
And they have dwelt upon me. 
Till now by mortal man 
They come to me as clearly 
As in the dream they ran ! 



30 



"Ah ! lead me to the altar 
That God may hear my prayer ; 
That I may plead for penance 
And choose my pathway there !" 
They slowly walked together 
Adown the spacious aisle, 
The sinner knelt in silence 
And weeping all the while. 

"Oh, God," his lips had parted, 

"If Thou dost reign in Heaven, 

Send down Thy light upon the earth 

That souls may be forgiven. 

Pierce with Thy spirit, my sad heart, 

Bring peace unto my soul 

That Thy lost sheep may hear Thy call 

And find again Thy fold." 

The tears were dry upon his cheek, 
His eyes were turned to Heaven; 
His very frame was changed the while, 
His very soul was shriven ; 
His very face was luminous, 
His very breath was sweet ; 
His Christian friend, so much rejoiced, 
Had fallen at his feet. 

The bells began to tell the hour, 

It was the vesper time ; 

Two souls that had been troubled 

Were filled with joy sublime. 

The dying sun had shed it's gloom 

Upon the dewy sod; 

Two Christian men with hearts aglow 

Were whispering, "Thank God." 

31 



Qfrusit J£at& Cftatm*. 

i 
When the first grey streaks of morning 
Come peeping from the skies, 
And all the lovely earthly things 
Open their drowsy eyes, 
Then let the strains of music, 
Like angels' voices, sweet, 
Fall gently on my listening ear 
To make my joy complete. 

Hark, I hear a murmur 
Like the rippling of a stream ; 
A sort of weird harmony 
Is the player's chosen theme. 
It fills my heart with a feeling 
Of strange yet happy glee, 
And I laugh in the tender emotion 
This music imparts to me. 

But now the strains grow heavy ; 
My heart begins to beat — 
For it seems I hear the pouring 
Of torrents in the streets, 
And now the thunder rattles, 
And I touch my fearful heart 
With the strange, yet deep emotion 
This music doth impart. 



32 



Again the theme is softened, 
The tones are cold as death ; 
They cause a dreadful shiver ; 
I gaze with bated breath. 
It seems that I am beckoned 
To a long and lasting sleep ; 
I bow my head in anguish. 
This music bids me weep. 

Hark, something more is added 
To the rhythm clear and high ; 
The player's tongue is loosened 
She sings a lullaby. 
Her heart and soul awaken, 
Her accents soar above, 
x\nd now I lie a dreaming— 
My dream is one of Love. 



3!une* 

What month I wonder ! 

Can you tell? 
There's something in it 

Answers well. 
I hear the cricket's drowsy tune 
It seems to whisper, "J une > J une •" 



33 



Dnip ©mile* 

Should I tell to you a story, 
If I beg one favor dear, 
Would you give to me an answer 
From your telling eyes, so clear? 
I could read what you were thinking 
While we two the hours beguile 
If you'd look into my face 
And only smile. 

Only smile when I draw near thee. 
Only smile when I caress ; 
Then my heart would lose its anguish 
And would never know distress. 
But if once your look should picture 
That you had been sad the while, 
I could never be content 
Unless you'd smile. 



34 



3n Imvuszion. 

To my Favorite Teacher, Dr. W. B. E. 

I read my book of mem'ries, 
And find still lingering there 
A sonnet that reminds me 
Of a friend that I revere. 

That sonnet, though a semblance, 
A weak attempt at best, 
Pours forth a weakling's candor ; 
The man supplies the rest. 

It runs — "His life is noble; 
His bearing, full of grace ; 
I fain would tell the country 
He's an honor to his race. 

"With accents strangely soothing 
And ringlets like the sage, 
A wizard he would surely be 
Without the wizards age. 

"He was my most loved tutor; 
That love will ne'er depart. 
For him there is a halo 
Encircling any heart." 

And I shall prize that sonnet 
That lauds the noble man, 
Who kindled the ambition 
That made me what I am, 



35 



Personality 

Come, listen while I tell thee 
What my sad heart doth hold — 
Deep in its realms of passion, 
Yea, deeper in my soul 
There dwells a modest damsel ; 
Tis strange to thee, I wot, 
Yet, in my heart I cherish her — 
Is it a sin — or not ? 

Long years I've kept my secret ; 
Tis one that's hard to tell. 
I've studied it intently 
That I might know it well. 
There came one day — a vision, 
The day was sultry, hot; 
She stood and gazed upon me, 
Was it a sin — or not? 

Her face was sad, unearthly ; 
Her cheeks were pale as death, 
She smiled — a stony, pallid smile 
She gasped for lack of breath ; 
Then straightened to her maiden height, 
Her cheeks flushed red and hot ; 
"I've come," she sighed, "to beckon thee." 
Was that a sin — or not ? 



36 



She spake no more, but sadly turned 
And slowly moved away ; 
Yet ever and anon she glanced 
To where I yet did stay. 
Then suddenly she turned again 
As if she had forgot 
Sonne most important sentence. 
Was that a sin — or not ? 

Once more her smile smote on me, 
"In all my life" she said, 
"I have been most ill-fated; 
Those whom I love are dead. 
Yet there is one who loves thee 
And loves thee well, God wot" 
And I am seeking for her, 
Is it a sin — or not? 

To thee I tell my secret, 
Tis mine alone, and thine. 
Wilt give me thy assistance 
To seek this love of mine? 
Tis all within thy power 
To tread the charmed spot — 
I love thee and thou knowest. 
Is that a sin — or not ? 



37 



fl)u' Ctuattet 

We's got a dandy quartet, 

De best you's eber seed ; 

Ike Jackson sings de tenor 

An' I, I sings de lead. 

Ruf Brown, he yells de barrytune, 

Obe Perkins bawls de bass 

An' when we stahts to harmonize 

We jest alarms de place. 

"Way Down In Ole Virginny," 
Is what we lubs to sing ; 
Ike Jackson wid his tenor 
Kin make dem high notes ring. 
Obe Perkins wid his growlin' 
Jest almost drowns de song, 
An' ef I warn't a leadin' it 
Ruf Brown would sho' go wrong. 

Cause barrytune is sut'ny 

One hard tune fer to sing. 

He jest can't 'zactly 'member when 

To fling his minahs in — 

An' so to stop from breakin' down, 

I natchly has to quit 

A singin' my own leadin' part 

To help him out a bit. 



38 



We's got a soft and techin' song, 
I sings de solo part. 
De fellers gits right jealis when 
I steps out front to start. 
Obe he jest gibs a hoa'se grunt 
An' Ike stan's dar an' grin 
But how I sings dem verses 
It sho'ly are a sin. 

Den when I reach de chorus 

Dey bust out good an' loud; 

De way we makes dem slurs would make 

De bigges sinnah proud. 

Dat tenor jest a floatin' 

Wid dat barrytune jest right ; 

An' dat bass an' me a leadin' it, 

I tell you 'tis a sight. 

We guv a concert at de hall, 

'Twas on a Friday night ; 

We brung ou' gals to hyeah us an' 

We sung wid all ou' might. 

Mose Jenkins picked de banjo 

An' Mike Green he scraped de fiddle; 

De stage was lit wid candles 

Wid a lantron in de middle. 

We was dressed in long Prince Albuts 

When we corned out on dat flo\ 

Dat 'air audjunce clapped an' whistled 

Tell dey couldn't clap no mo'. 

Den we sung "De Song ob Freedom!," 

We jest set de ole folks wile; 

All de winders dey was open 

You could hyeah us mos' a mile. 

39 



An* dat audjunce clapped an' shouted 

Tell I 'clare it war a sin; 

An' dey said dem singin' fellus 

Had to sing dat song agin. 

An' dey kep' us dar a singin' 

Tell we natchly had to stop ; 

Den dey shoved de benches gin de wall 

An' had a little hop. 

Ev'ybody made a motion, 

An' ez I skimmed round de flo' 

It wuz den I axed Jemima 

Ef she'd let me be huh beau. 

An' she nestled close up to me 

An' she answered wif a smile, 

"I can't answer whilst we's dancin' — 

I will answer arterwhile." 

Ez we traveled home tigedder 
'Neath de starry lights ob Mav, 
My ole h'art kep' on a thumpin' 
Cause I knowed what she would say. 
I jest feels dat I was lucky, — 
Mine sho' is one happy lot. 
I would tell you but I guess yo 
Know de answer dat I got. 



40 



Cfte Cemptatfon* 

Part I. 

Muriel, thy task is o'er — 

Long encased in silent tomb 

Ne'er heav'nward more the Grail shalt lift; 

Thy son Didaeus' uplift hands 

Shall make reflection on thy soul 

It's strengthening power. 

Come thou forth and chasten him 
More than e'er he chastened were, 
Knowest thou that lurking ever, 
Slowly and with vengeful ire, 
In the precincts of Montelban 
Doth an evil heart aspire 
Ruin for thy son, and caldron 
Ruin for the Holy Knighthood ? 

Yet Didaeus, weakest 'mong them, 
Daily — nightly — slowly nearer 
Unto doom doth sadly hasten. 
And the vicious, scheming Kuglor 
Knoweth all thy son's misgivings, 
Fathoms them with scrutined fervor, 
Summons all his hosts of blaspheme 
Who assigned to duty devilish 
Haste with laughter cruel, hellish 
To the luring of Didaeus 
Oh, could ever deed more darkened 
Be rejoiced in more by Satan 
Than by Kuglor now 'tis lavished 
Spectre glare and gesture therewith. 

41 



Oh, could ever mortal power 
His atrocious homage delve 
To the sprites that now he hastens 
On to damned duty's perform. 

Chief among this army wicked 
Dwelleth one of mortal making ; 
Who possessed of duel nature, 
Doth anon with loud repenting 
Chide their sinful undertakings ; 
Doth her evil pray to banish. 
But for her no penance standeth 
Her decree hath long been spoken. 

She it was that when the Saviour, 
Laden with Redemption's Sorrows, 
Gave Himself to crucifixion, 
Bloody sweat and cruel scourging — 
She it was, that when in anguish 
Bleeding, fainting, sadly smiling 
Up to Calvary He staggered — 
She it was who burst with laughter, 
Vacant, shrieking, demon laughter. 
She it was upon whose figure 
Did the Saviour look in pity 
And in accents soft and solemn — 
"Wait thou till I come" did whisper. 

Till thou cometh ! Gloom and sorrow 
Seize upon her earthly spirit. 
Vainly doth she smite her bosom, 
Vainly doth she beg repentance ; 
Never shall her heart cease beating, 
Never shall she cease repining; 

42 



Immortality engendered 
In her two-fold heart is grafted. 
O'er the earth in suffering silent 
Must she wander, resting never : — 
Now at good and now at evil, 
And the fiendish laugh attend her ; 
Kuglor chose to call her Andrey. 

Neath his spell with evil lavish 
Doth this Andrey fall ill fated, 
Smitten with a drowsy longing 
After sleep, in which condition 
Falleth vice the heir to virtue. 
Erstwhile poureth in her bosom 
Kuglor's vile satanic sentence : 
"Ho, ho, Audrey ! to thy duty ! 
Thou canst with thy maiden beauty 
E'en into thy master's meshes 
Lure the king, the weak Didaeus." 

Half entranced and half awaking 
Fain would Audrey strive to banish 
From her soul the pangs of evil. 
Yet in wrathful, monstrous clutches 
Doth the sorcered Kuglor hold her — 
Till erstwhile with laughter vacant, 
Cheeks aglow and smile enchanting, 
Eyes aglare with demon lustre 
Doth she go to do his bidding. 



43 



Part II. 

Near the precincts of Montelban 
Where the Holy Grail was nutured 
At the bottom of the mountain 
Lay a desert waste and dreary. 
Here the monks had chose to worship 
For it's solitude and quiet ; 
Here they reckoned no temptation 
Could usurp their minds angelic. 

Yet the ever scheming sorc'rer 

Into beds of blooming flowers, 

Heliotropes, azahlias, zinnias, 

Lillies of the rarest beauty, 

Violets in great profusion, 

Sweet forget-me-nots and dahlias, 

Easter bells and rarest roses 

Did transform this monkish wasteland, 

And the fragrance strangely soothing, 

Delicate and e'er more fragrant 

E'en the cloister penetrated 

Till at length its moment seeking 

Slowly forth Didaeus wandered, 

In his hand devinelv waving 

O'er his head the "Spear of Power." 

And the fragrance of the flowers 

Smote upon his sacred being. 

Farther outward and still farther 
Did he wander in the beauty 
That around the Mount had centered 
And anon he smote his bosom, 



44 



Touched his forehead, knit his lashes, 
Racked his brain that ne'er had failed him — 
Yet no thought was he possessed of 
That explained the situation. 

Ever more and more enchanting 
Grew the roses and the grasses ; 
Ever sweeter and more fragrant 
Grew the atmosphere about him. 
Then from out each gorgeous flower 
Rose a maiden fair as morning, 
Turned towards Didaeus nodding, 
Blushing and sublimely smiling 
And in ecstacy he halted, 
Lifted up his eyes to Heaven 
As to supplicate for pardon 
'Gainst the folly of his venture. 

Ere his lips in orayer had parted 
In his vision flashed an image 
That no mortal power could picture ; 
Clad in garments spotless snowy, 
Flowing freely with the breezes ; 
Whose free arms and shoulders naked 
Were of purest alabaster, 
And whose eyes of azure beauty 
Struck his heart with wild pulsations 
While the flaxen tresses floated 
O'er a neck of venal vertu 

Suddenly the maiden halted. 
Blushing red she stood and trembled. 
Timid did she seem and modest 
At perceiving near the stranger — 

45 



And her bosom heaved in snatches 
Like she were in sad excitement, 
Till Didaeus, pitying ever, 
Faltered and forgot his praying; 
Dropped the uplift spear to earthward, 
Stood enwrapped and half enchanted. 

Quickly as with greedy longing 
With a bound sprang Kuglor forward 
Seized upon the "Spear of Power," 
Smote with fiendish aim upon him, 
Rashly crushed him down, then quickly 
Back to desert wasteland dreary 
Did transform the fragrant garden. 

And Didaeus, sorely moaning, 
Writhed and tossed in deadly anguish ; 
Muttered sentences of chiding 
In his spaces of composure. — 
Raised his bloodshot eyes to Heaven 
And his pallid cheeks grew crimson 
And his blue eyes slowly parted. 
But the wound excruciating 
Pain imparting to its victim 
Sent his words like nature's drippings 
From the eaves of melting winter. 

Loud he sent his cry to Heaven, 
Loud did he deplore his folly, 
Rolled and tossed and smote his bosom, 
Touched the spear wound now intently 
And with every heart pulsation 
Poured a gory streamlet from him 
Till at last o'ercome with fainting 

4 6 



Sank he to the earth exhausted. 
And f romi out the blankness round him 
"Till the 'Foolish Pure One' cometh 
Wait thou" ! sound in the vacance. 

Part III. 

Long Didaeus lay thus wounded, 
Long had suffered demon torture — 
Every herb the monks had hovered 
That tradition held as healing — 
Every sacred oil had failed them, 
Every poultice, every potion ; 
Every prayer of imploration 
They possessed was sent to Heav'nward 
And between each holy sentence 
Sounded forth the hollow moaning 
That the victim of Misfortune 
Earnestly sent up to Heaven. 

Meanwhile over hills and valleys — 

By the rivers, in the forests, 

Through the thickets, o'er the mountains, 

Down the slope a youth had wandered. 

Beautiful he was and childish; 

Sturdy and of dark complexion 

As a child by nature tutored ; 

Noble in the full erection 

That his massive limbs supported ; 

Eagle eyed and eagle featured, 

And his head with amber ringlets 

Mingled there in vast profusion 

Tossing here and there unconscious 

Did enhance his youthful beauty 

Muscular his arms and brawny ; 

47 



Graceful every motion of them. 
Now he drew his slingshot forward, 
Perched himself and true to nature 
Pulled the string that ne'er had fouled , 
Burst with laughter as to earthward 
Fell the wild swan he had aimed for. 

Through the valley, sweetly, softly, 
Sounded forth a sudden twitter — 
From the earth about the stranger 
Sprang a thousand blooming flowers 
Interspersed with scented grasses, 
Cactuses and ferns and mosses 
So entwined and so gigantic 
That the youth became ecstatic, 
Halted and in wonder marvelled 
That he had not when he entered 
Seen the beauty of the valley. 

From the bower wreathed with roses 
Of the rarest earthly beauty, 
Rose a maiden fair as morning, 
Cheeks aglow and lips a quiver 
Drooping eyes and flowing tresses ; 
Arms of snowy plumpness stretching 
Forward to entice the stranger. 
And she thus poured forth her bidding 
Slowly and with clear precision : 

"Percifal, thou 'Foolish Pure One.' 
Thou hast wandered far I reckon — 
Thou art beautiful of figure, 
Thou art wild and rash in action, 
Thou hast lost thy way I vouch thee. 
Thou art thoughtless of thy movements. 

48 



Yet with all thy strange misgivings 
Thou art loved by every mortal. 
Come and sit thee down, I pray thee ; 
Thou art nature's own production — 
Bend thyself among her beauties, 
Rest thee where her fragrance hovers. 
'Tis the realm of conscious spirit 
That thou hast this moment entered, 
All that wander here are happy. 
I have hied me here to lead thee 
To the everspouting fountain 
Where eternal wisdom floweth ; 
There to satiate thy bosom 
With the happiness essential 
To the realm wherein thou livest. 

'Thou art culpable and simple, 
Thou art not as when I strode here 
Hard as adamantine bowlders 
Difficult to grasp thy portion 
Long assigned before thy coming. 
Ah, I see thou art aweary ! 
Lay thee down and rest and slumber, 
Let the zephyrs waft thy tresses 
To and fro about thy temples, 
Thou art frightened, thou art startled, 
Thou art trustless of thy servant. 
Pardon if I do offend thee ; 
There is naught to cause thee horror, 
I am happy — why art thou not ? 
Thou art foolish, youthful stranger — 
Fear was never known to enter 
Into precincts where such splendor 
Has o£ nature grown and blossomed," 

49 



Suddenly she burst with laughter 
Loud and vacant, harsh and grating, 
So demonic and so hellish 
That the youth in fear engrossing 
Turned to flee the sights about him. 

Now the air was rent with curses 
Violent and madly vicious ; 
Through the atmosphere a whizzing 
Like a reed by forceful bending 
Swung about the head delivers 
Permeated loud and awful. 

Percifal at once bewildered 
Halted 'mid the fearful tumult. 
Close above his head uncovered 
Flashed an object bright and glitt'ring. 
Reaching upward without intent 
Down he brought the shining trophy ; 
To his breast he pressed the treasure, 
All the beauty of the valley 
Faded as he drew it earthward. 
Back again to dreary wasteland 
Withered all the fragrant blossoms, 
Back again to his dominion 
Vanished Kuglor, the enticer ; 
Back again to her ill-fated haunts 
Did Audrey sink in sorrow 
And before the trembling stranger 
All aghast with lios that quivered, 
Heavy breasts and hearts that fluttered 
Stood the pale knights of Montelban. 



50 



Part IV. 

From the summit of Montelban 
Overlooking all the country 
Clad in garments dark and somber, 
Girded round with belt of granite, 
Silently the landscape viewing 
Stood the lonely monastery 
In the valley far benearth it 
Stood the monks in amber cassocks 
Clustered round a youthful stranger. 

Now the vesper bell was ringing, 
Now they smote their heaving bosoms 
As they turned and slowly filing 
Two and two toward the cloister 
Lead the youth who filled with wonder 
Had become emasculated. 
Through the gates of massive grandeur 
Into paths of gravelled beauty, 
Under arbors fresh and fragrant, 
Over bridges made of nature 
Past the ancient arched doorway, 
Down the long and spacious hallway 
Even into secret chambers 
Did they lead the young advent'rer. 

Meanwhile through the cloistral stillness 

Sounded forth from out the chapel 

Pealings from the bulky organ 

Calling to the vesper service 

All the holy Montelbaners 

Who with faces wreathed in sorrow, 

Eyes that sadly drooped to earthward, 



51 



Hands that trembled as they placed them 
Now across their monkish bosoms, 
Solemnly their places taking 
Slunk away to do their bidding. 

Close behind the long procession 
Deep enthused in conversation 
Walked the eldest monk among them ; 
He the querist of the cloister, 
He the wisest and the Super — 
Father of the Holy Order, 
Leading with fraternal hearing 
By the hand the youthful stranger. 

Part V. 

All was splendor in the chapel, 

Through the dome of glassy beauty 

All the somber shades of sunset 

Poured upon the praying brothers. 

Percifal in admiration 

Stood enraptured in the doorway, 

On his brow the frown of knowledge, 

In his eye the light of wisdom, 

On his cheek the blush of childhood, 

In his hand the "Spear of Power," 

And the sight he now encountered 

Challenged him with admonition. 

In the center of the chapel 
Stood the seemly marble altar 
Deeply fretted with acanthus, 
Richly clothed in oriental 
Laces of the rarest beauty, 
Tastefully adorned with flowers, 

52 



Humbly bearing on its bosom 
Where the dome light fell in crimson 
Stream, the Holy Grail containing 
Wine and wafer intermingled. 

Deeper fell the shades of evening, 
Darker grew the holy chamber 
Softly did the strains of music 
Melt away in sweet succession ; 
From the gloomy dome above them 
Suddenly a stream of splendor 
Smote upon the holy altar. 
There in chasuble of crimson 
Stood Didaeus pale and wretched. 

Silence reigned throughout the chapel. 
All the holy Montelbaners 
Knelt in silent prayer about him 
Then in words that told his suff'ring 
Thus he spake unto his subjects: 
"Brethren of the Holy Knighthood, 
Tis the hour of elevation. 
Long have I performed this duty 
With a sacred strength from Heaven ; 
Long have I in cool composure 
Gazed upon you kneeling thusly 
Round the Host in sweet devotion ; 
Every fiber, every sinew, 
Every muscle, e'en the framework 
And the flesh that make this body 
Have in unison exalted 
All our acts of adoration. 
Now with basest accusation, 
Musings that withal are beastly, 

53 



Conscience that would scathe its victim, 
Heart depressed with misdirection, 
Flesh that shudders at the touching, 
Do I find myself confronted. 

"Deep the stain of guilt has gored me ; 
E'en my weary soul has shrunken 
Fearing lest the condemnation 
Bear upon it's depths so vastly 
That annihilation sadly 
May devour it's weak existence. 

"But to duty. Tis the hour 
Of the just and trying ordeal — 
Ah, I fear that ere this Chalice 
That this arm so strong hath lifted 
To its full extent be hoisted 
Shall Didaeus fall ill-fated 
Back to dust from which he corrueth. 
Pray ye then that though he falter 
God will shrive his spotted nature 
And at time of elevation 
From the cell wherein he dwelleth 
He may look upon the scene with 
Spectre joy and admiration." 

Suddenly as if by magic 
Had he seized upon the Chalice 
Braced himself against the altar 
And in accents loud and rambling 
Prayed for Kuglor, plead for Audrey, 
Smiled on all the vile enticers 
Who had dragged him to perdition. 



54 



Then as if a light from Heaven 
Lit his soul with sweet forgiveness 
Did his eyes become enkindled 
With a calm and beaming brightness, 
Slowly and with steady motion 
Up he raised the Holy Chalice 
Till to shoulders' height he bore it 
'Mid the chanting of the brothers 
Who the "Credo" now were singing. 
Slowly and with steady motion 
Down again, he bore the vessel, 
Sank into the cushioned sedan 
They had placed behind the altar 
Grasped the freshly broke contusion, 
Trembled as in broken whispers, 
"It is meet," he softly muttered ; 
"It is meet that I should suffer, 
It is just that I be chided — 
God is good ; I be the villian ! 
Come my brothers, come, I pray thee, 
On your chastened arms support me 
That before my failing vision 
All the scenes of past contentment 
May appear in silent splendor." 

Ere the monks could do his bidding 
From the doorway where the foolish 
Percifal had long been watching, 
Came a sob of deepest feeling. 
All the monks in quick amazement 
Turned toward the chapel entrance 
And Didaeus, half arising, 
Saw the stranger for the first time. 

LOFC 

55 



"Ah, I am content," he murmured 
Huskily with feeble nodding 
Toward the vision in the doorway 
"Thou art come, I know thy errand. 
Tis to lift the Grail in splendor 
That the sanctity of Heaven 
May again pervade the cloister. 
Come thou forth, thy task awaits thee, 
For this life is slowly ebbing — 
Ere the dawn of day shall lighten 
Yonder chapel dome with beauty 
Shall there be a dead Didaeus 
Even now the chill o'ertakes me, 
Even now my vision darkens, 
Even now I long to see thee 
Elevate the Grail to Heaven. 
Then may I with satisfaction 
Die and meet the Galilean 
Face to face and hear the judgment 
He would deal his weak disciple." 

Timidly toward the altar 
Percifal advanced and halted, 
Lifted up his eves to Heaven, 
Locked his hands across his bosom, 
Burst in tears and 'mid his sobbing 
Prayed to God in broken accents — 
Then at once himself composing 
Did he grasp with calm decision 
In his hands the Sacred Chalice. 
With the chant, "Ora pro nobis" 
Did the Grail ascend to Heav'nward. 
In the glory of the service 
Did Didaeus' soul expire 
And the Holy Montelbaners 
Sang aloud in exaltation, 
"Alter ipse amicus." 

56 



Page 

My Prayer 5 

Sorrow 6 

A Lullaby 7 

The Upward Path 8 

Emotion 9 

Daddy's Darlin' io 

Memories 12 

Contentment 13 

Life 14 

The Singer and the Song 15 

Mistaken Confidence 16 

Class Song 18 

A Wonder 19 

The Secret 21 

Success 22 

Class Poem 23 

Contemplation 26 

Mirandy's Sin 27 

Penance 30 

Music Hath Charms 32 

June 33 

Only Smile 34 

Personality 36 

Ou' Quartet 38 

The Temptation — 

Part I 41 

Part II 44 

Part III 47 

Part IV 51 

Part V 52 



57 






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